Help Mounting Moccasins

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JRAM1

JRAM1

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Feb 13, 2007
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I have the opportunity to shadowbox some 100+ year old Native American Moccasins. The question I have is how to mount these without damaging them. I've been framing for several years and practice preservation techniques of most everything that comes through our shop, but I rarely get the chance to do something this exciting. The moccasins are flat, but the customer wants them "filled-out" with something to make the true to original form. What approach should I take with this, and is it viable to go through with the job. I considered stitching through the soles to the backing, but I'm concerned with stress on the stitches and soles over time hanging. I want to do the right thing for preserving these "artifacts" and if framing is not the answer I will gladly explain this to the customer. Any help would be GREATLY Appreciated!! Happy New Year Everybody. JRAM.

Additional Info:
1). Moccasins are leather or rawhide. They are somewhat supple and
pliable. Not much weight at all.
2). Customer doesn't want shadowbox too deep, so building up a
shelf may be out of the equation.
 
Last edited:
Wow, you sure do have a lot of things to keep in mind before attacking this project.

1) Are the moccasins strong enough to hold up to regular mounting techniques? (IE: sewing) If not, you might think about making a platform for the moccasins to sit on.

2) Is the leather (I assume they are made from leather) supple enough to change the shape without harming them? If so, you might stuff them with polyfiber filler. It will not yellow or hard the moccasins as it has no acid or offgassing.

3) Remember that we (framers) are not magicians, we are framers. Keep in mind the safety of the objects to be framed, and work within the safety limits. It's kind of like being a doctor... "First, do no harm."


Jim Miller has done some great mounting techniques that won't harm the object. Platforms and bars or rods, tend to be good choices when you don't want to add stress to the object by simply sewing.

Good luck, and Happy New Year!
 
JRAM1 said:
I have the opportunity to shadowbox some 100+ year old Native American Moccasins. The question I have is how to mount these without damaging them. I've been framing for several years and practice preservation techniques of most everything that comes through our shop, but I rarely get the chance to do something this exciting. The moccasins are flat, but the customer wants them "filled-out" with something to make the true to original form. What approach should I take with this, and is it viable to go through with the job. I considered stitching through the soles to the backing, but I'm concerned with stress on the stitches and soles over time hanging. I want to do the right thing for preserving these "artifacts" and if framing is not the answer I will gladly explain this to the customer. Any help would be GREATLY Appreciated!! Happy New Year Everybody. JRAM.

Additional Info:
1). Moccasins are leather or rawhide. They are somewhat supple and
pliable. Not much weight at all.
2). Customer doesn't want shadowbox too deep, so building up a
shelf may be out of the equation.
Click to expand...
Additional Info
 
Don't know if this would be an option or not, but it's an idea. Could you make an insert ( out of proper material ) that would support the moccasin ( think of something like a Dr. Scholls ) and then stitch through that, and I presume existing holes where they were originally sewn together?
 
What about using magnets?
 
LOL.....
I hear ya', Robo. But they'd probably work just fine if the filling material that was put into the mocassins covered up a magnet that was close to the sole. And if there was metal behind the fabric cover of the backing. I know that some conservators have tried this method with delicate woven basketry and had success.
 
Hows about 'stuffing' them with polyester quilt wadding, but first of all wrap that wadding in stabiltex or tulle, but with straps - sort of like a tobacco pouch inside the toes with its tie-up cords - but wider - used to wrap around and behind the mocassins and then passed through the mount?

IOW what you use to re-form the things is also used to mount them.
 
This thread has some good ideas, in it. It should be possible to make toe inserts, with magnets in them, which are wrapped in polyester batting and covered with soft smooth tissue, to hold the moccasins, in a toe up position. Since leather is very attractive to insects, the frame should be carefully sealed and monitored, for signs of infestation, later.


Hugh
 
Horizontal Display Case..............

Could your customer accept using a horizontal display case? We have a supplier who creates custom cases to our specs. that have allowed us to frame "difficult" objects rather easily.

At first this would seem expensive but, when you look at the labor you save by having the box and strainer constructed, and still have a good mark-up, it is worth looking into.

Really, you could have it constructed deep enough you could hang it vertically and still incorporate your shelf.

This presentation would truly make it appear to be a museum exhibit and you could follow all conservation practices this project calls for.

We have even attached a frame to the acrylic box in one case. The customer wanted a more traditional appearance when viewing the art head-on.

There are many acrylic fabricators that do great work, I am sure. We have used Acrylic Display and Framing, Inc. in Chicago. Their phone number is 312.666.6350.

Rob
 
Shayla said:
What about using magnets?
Click to expand...
That is a FANTASTIC idea. I did not post the original question but needed the same help. These mocassis are my husbands that he has worn and loved. They have great sentimental value and if he wants to keep them, he needs to retire them. So I wanted to surprise him by hanging them in a place of honor in our living room but I do not want to damage them.

Thanks to you, I can do it easily. Such a simple solution but it never even crossed my mind.

I sincerely thank you for posting your suggestion. 😊
 
Here's link to the person, and her book, who developed the magnet mounting technologies.
spicerart.com

Magnet Book - Spicer Art Conservation

Magnetic Mounting Systems for Museums & Cultural Institutions By Gwen Spicer Magnetic Mounting Systems for Museums & Cultural Institutions serves a critical need in conservation and museum studies by addressing how to properly use magnetic mounting systems for all types of art works. It...
spicerart.com spicerart.com
 
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